We keep going back here because it's so close to our place and because we keep getting coupons, but we're consistently unimpressed. Nothing remotely bad to report, but (other than the incredible Insalata di Pere) the food is just fine. Very nice service, pleasant ambiance -- basically everything that leads to a "satisfactory" rating.

We keep going back here because it's so close to our place and because we keep getting coupons, but we're consistently unimpressed. Nothing remotely bad to report, but (other than the incredible Insalata di Pere) the food is just fine. Very nice service, pleasant ambiance -- basically everything that leads to a "satisfactory" rating.

Was this review helpful to you?

by cosmo1919 at CitysearchNov 10.

We were having a great time and as it turned out we stayed past the closing time. All at our table were saying goodbye to friends with which we had shared some meaningful experiences and we were lost in conversation. 15 minutes before we were rudely shouted out of the restaurant, I had approached our waitress and asked if we were over staying our welcome. She told me not to worry as it was slow and they were still closing up. Suddenly, the most annoying voice blasted through our chatter saying that it was after 11 (it was 10:45) and then in disgust that is often reserved for the 20th direction of a recalcitrant middle schooler, she said "And we close at 10!" Her manner was so jarring that six adults jumped up like a fire had been started and fled the scene, apologizing. Whoever that woman is, she should find another role in the organization. If she is not the chef, she should be transfered to Comcast Cable, where her skills would be appreciated!

1

by cosmo1919 at Citysearch
June 19, 20093La Donna

Good Food, Rude Owner

★★★☆☆

We were having a great time and as it turned out we stayed past the closing time. All at our table were saying goodbye to friends with which we had shared some meaningful experiences and we were lost in conversation. 15 minutes before we were rudely shouted out of the restaurant, I had approached our waitress and asked if we were over staying our welcome. She told me not to worry as it was slow and they were still closing up. Suddenly, the most annoying voice blasted through our chatter saying that it was after 11 (it was 10:45) and then in disgust that is often reserved for the 20th direction of a recalcitrant middle schooler, she said "And we close at 10!" Her manner was so jarring that six adults jumped up like a fire had been started and fled the scene, apologizing. Whoever that woman is, she should find another role in the organization. If she is not the chef, she should be transfered to Comcast Cable, where her skills would be appreciated!

My husband and I have been meaning to try La Donna for months; we finally got around to going for their 3 course, $19.95 special which is now Monday-Thursday -- any appetizer or salad, any pasta or entree, and a dessert from a small menu. It was an OK experience, and the food was pretty good. We were seated near the windows in front and bread, olive oil, and parmesan cheese arrived quickly. So did our waitress, who seemed annoyed that we hadn't chosen our meal within 2 minutes of sitting down. She did not offer to tell us about the special, so we had to ask, and before she told us what it included, she prefaced with "you can't use a coupon for this, you know" -- not really sure what to make of that (we didn't have a coupon). After being harassed a few more times about whether or not we were ready, we ordered and our appetizers arrived quickly -- I had a delicious portabello mushroom with spinach and gorgonzola, and my husband had the pear salad which was also pretty darn good. We had to wait a little while for the entrees, but when they arrived, we were pleased -- I had the risotto della donna, and my husband had the seafood ravioli with mushroom cream sauce. Both were really quite good -- my risotto actually tasted better the day after, though! For dessert, we had small bowls of gelato -- one hazelnut and one mint chocochip. Overall, not bad -- large portions and delicious flavors, but the waitress was really annoying and the space was pretty small and crowded. We will probably be back, though, since it's close by and the $19.95 special is a pretty good deal.

2

by pjs2780 at Citysearch
March 14, 20084La Donna

Good Food, Good Price, Annoying Waitress

★★★★☆

My husband and I have been meaning to try La Donna for months; we finally got around to going for their 3 course, $19.95 special which is now Monday-Thursday -- any appetizer or salad, any pasta or entree, and a dessert from a small menu. It was an OK experience, and the food was pretty good. We were seated near the windows in front and bread, olive oil, and parmesan cheese arrived quickly. So did our waitress, who seemed annoyed that we hadn't chosen our meal within 2 minutes of sitting down. She did not offer to tell us about the special, so we had to ask, and before she told us what it included, she prefaced with "you can't use a coupon for this, you know" -- not really sure what to make of that (we didn't have a coupon). After being harassed a few more times about whether or not we were ready, we ordered and our appetizers arrived quickly -- I had a delicious portabello mushroom with spinach and gorgonzola, and my husband had the pear salad which was also pretty darn good. We had to wait a little while for the entrees, but when they arrived, we were pleased -- I had the risotto della donna, and my husband had the seafood ravioli with mushroom cream sauce. Both were really quite good -- my risotto actually tasted better the day after, though! For dessert, we had small bowls of gelato -- one hazelnut and one mint chocochip. Overall, not bad -- large portions and delicious flavors, but the waitress was really annoying and the space was pretty small and crowded. We will probably be back, though, since it's close by and the $19.95 special is a pretty good deal.

My husband and I returned back to this restaraunt a month or two ago and I have to say that I was very impressed. Our first trip was over a year ago and at that time the service sucked, the food was mediocre, and the portions were small. On this trip however, the menu had changed, and the good was great. My husband had a chicken dish which was amazing and I had pasta which was wonderful. The service was a little on the slow side, but you can tell that the food was fresh so that made it worth it. The only downfall was the desert menu was lacking and what I did have (some sort of chocolate pastry) wasn't very good.

Overall though this is a great place :)

2

by thelemalove93 at Citysearch
March 16, 20075La Donna

Much Improved

★★★★★

My husband and I returned back to this restaraunt a month or two ago and I have to say that I was very impressed. Our first trip was over a year ago and at that time the service sucked, the food was mediocre, and the portions were small. On this trip however, the menu had changed, and the good was great. My husband had a chicken dish which was amazing and I had pasta which was wonderful. The service was a little on the slow side, but you can tell that the food was fresh so that made it worth it. The only downfall was the desert menu was lacking and what I did have (some sort of chocolate pastry) wasn't very good.

This restaurant was not cheap for the quality and service-which was sub-par. I had to return an entree because the sauce was horrible- and was not impressed with the food here at all. Even the flourless choc cake was a disappointment.
The gnocchi was decent but can't rave about the sauces.
Won't return or recommend.

1

by prettyhot at Citysearch
December 31, 20062La Donna

Expensive and mediocre

★★☆☆☆

This restaurant was not cheap for the quality and service-which was sub-par. I had to return an entree because the sauce was horrible- and was not impressed with the food here at all. Even the flourless choc cake was a disappointment.
The gnocchi was decent but can't rave about the sauces.
Won't return or recommend.

We were looking for an Andersonville dinner spot and stumbled on LaDonna's. The waiter helped us choose the right sauce for our home-made pasta noodle. Delicious! The grilled calamari was amazing! Well worth the money. They even had a selection of Italian Grappa. I think we'll try carryout, too.

2

by szilligne at Citysearch
November 15, 20065La Donna

Amazing Italian Food with Home-Made Pasta

★★★★★

We were looking for an Andersonville dinner spot and stumbled on LaDonna's. The waiter helped us choose the right sauce for our home-made pasta noodle. Delicious! The grilled calamari was amazing! Well worth the money. They even had a selection of Italian Grappa. I think we'll try carryout, too.

I had a couple of very nice meals at this cosy italian restaurant. Very nice food and wide variety of wine selections.
Sometimes crowdy, but that gives you an authentic feeling.
Most defenitely recommended, I will go back!

2

by isabelle_oneil at Citysearch
October 23, 20064La Donna

I like it and will go back to La Donna

★★★★☆

I had a couple of very nice meals at this cosy italian restaurant. Very nice food and wide variety of wine selections.
Sometimes crowdy, but that gives you an authentic feeling.
Most defenitely recommended, I will go back!

Poor service, average food, overpriced for what you get. A nice decor inside, looks quaint and trendy, but doesn't make up for the rest. Small, almost cramped at times. We waited a long time for a table and then for our bill.

1

by srish at Citysearch
November 14, 20053La Donna

Pretty average overall

★★★☆☆

Poor service, average food, overpriced for what you get. A nice decor inside, looks quaint and trendy, but doesn't make up for the rest. Small, almost cramped at times. We waited a long time for a table and then for our bill.

La Donna is a cute spot, I have been there several times and have always been happy with the quality of food. I've had great risotto, wine and pasta. Also, I hosted a bridal shower there, in the upstairs private room, and had incredible service. The owner sat down with me to plan the menu, and offered a couple favorite specialty items, like the pumpkin ravioli (it is the bride's favorite dish there).

It's a very popular neighborhood spot, and there's a reason for it. Give it a try!

2

by cedusky at Citysearch
June 24, 20054La Donna

Great stand-by

★★★★☆

La Donna is a cute spot, I have been there several times and have always been happy with the quality of food. I've had great risotto, wine and pasta. Also, I hosted a bridal shower there, in the upstairs private room, and had incredible service. The owner sat down with me to plan the menu, and offered a couple favorite specialty items, like the pumpkin ravioli (it is the bride's favorite dish there).

It's a very popular neighborhood spot, and there's a reason for it. Give it a try!

We walked in on a snowy night without reservations, and when the host asked her boss if they could accommodate us, he visibly winced. We should have just walked out; it was all downhill from there. For these prices, the food is really disappointing -- small portions, bland, and unappealing. The music was blaring that all 3 tables in our area had to ask that it be turned down. All in all, this was a really bad experience -- one we'll never repeat.

0

by jriehm at Citysearch
January 30, 20051La Donna

Not worth the trouble

★☆☆☆☆

We walked in on a snowy night without reservations, and when the host asked her boss if they could accommodate us, he visibly winced. We should have just walked out; it was all downhill from there. For these prices, the food is really disappointing -- small portions, bland, and unappealing. The music was blaring that all 3 tables in our area had to ask that it be turned down. All in all, this was a really bad experience -- one we'll never repeat.

La Donna is one of the best authentic, Italian-owned restaurants in Chicago. The pasta was fresh, service was good and the wine list was excellent! I will definitley go again. It's in a great location in Andersonville, which seems to be the next hot neighborhood for dining and shopping.

2

by cspeering at Citysearch
September 04, 20025La Donna

Great Italinan dining in Andersonville

★★★★★

La Donna is one of the best authentic, Italian-owned restaurants in Chicago. The pasta was fresh, service was good and the wine list was excellent! I will definitley go again. It's in a great location in Andersonville, which seems to be the next hot neighborhood for dining and shopping.